20000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)

Second viewing, probably; I do not remember when I saw it for the first time, but it was surely before 1987, and probably before 1983.

Based on the novel Vingt mille lieues sous les mers, by Jules Verne, first published in 1870.

A mysterious entity, generally thought to be a monster, is wrecking ships at sea in the late 19th century. A search expedition is assembled, led by a scientist. They eventually find what they think is the monster, and attack it, causing damage to their own ship. All those in it fall into the sea, and the scientist and his assistant, as well as a member of the ship's crew, are rescued by a submarine under a mysterious captain.

Being a Disney production, there are some touches aimed at the kid audience,  mostly involving a seal. I do not remember the novel well, but apparently the pacifist motif is an invention of the movie, and an interesting one at that. It is also a bit problematic, because it lends Nemo some contradictory aspects, his pacifism belying his purported lack of humanity. Also, he seems to abhor both the American Civil War and slavery; in other words he wants to have his cake and eat it too. Of course, the trivial answer to this would be that he is mad, but I think he reflects the general mental confusion of many people in the time of the movie and in ours. Anyway, this is an entertaining adventure, with fine actors and some nice visuals. As a curiosity, I point out the influence on the Dr. Phibes' movies: both Phibes and Nemo are avenging their respective wives' deaths, and both play Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor on the organ.

Rating: 54 (unchanged)